Best laptop deals: Get a portable workhorse from $98 today

Few of us would consider a computer to be a small purchase, but you don’t have to spend hours (or a fortune) to score the best laptop deals. Whether you’re in the market for a cheap no-frills Chromebook for work or school, a jack-of-all-trades Windows 11 laptop, or a portable battle station for gaming on the go, we’ve got what you need. Our curated roundup of the week’s best laptop deals has prices starting at less than $100, thanks to the Prime Day laptop deals going on right now, so you’re guaranteed to find something to suit your budget.

Looking for more laptops that you can also use for playing video games? We’ve rounded up some of the best gaming laptop deals as well.

Best laptop deals

• HP Chromebook 11.6 — $98, was $225
• Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 Chromebook —
• Microsoft Surface Laptop Go —
• HP Pavilion x360 15 2-in-1 —
• Asus VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Laptop —
• Acer Spin 5 13 2-in-1 — $669, was $999
• Dell G15 Gaming Laptop — $686, was $1,069
• Apple MacBook Air — $999

HP Chromebook 11.6 — $98, was $225

Why Buy:

• Drop resistant
• Fast-booting
• Reasonable screen for price
• Looks stylish

Working on the move doesn’t have to cost a lot as demonstrated by this HP Chromebook 11.6. While it won’t be the fastest of systems to use, it offers all the basics you need to get stuff done in a portable fashion without having to worry about spending a fortune. At its heart is an AMD A4 processor which proves a refreshing change compared to other Chromebooks at this price range that tend to use slower MediaTek chips. Accompanying that is 4GB of memory and 32GB of eMMC storage. 4GB of memory is fairly standard for a Chromebook so it does the job just fine with ChromeOS well suited to running on low-end specs. 32GB of eMMC might sound on the low side but — again — for a Chromebook, it does the job. The focus is always on saving files to the cloud rather than storing them locally, so you simply don’t need much storage space.

Refreshingly, the HP 11.6-inch Chromebook appreciates that portability can lead to problems. That’s why it’s drop resistant. It’s been drop tested to up to 122cm proving higher than most desks. Beside surviving a fall from a desk, it can also cope with a splash from a drink or a tugged power cord, too. If you’re planning on taking it to class with you, you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s going to survive the journey without a problem.

Elsewhere, you get an attractive 11.6-inch HD display that may be small but has some useful features. This includes anti-glare properties and 220nits of brightness so it can withstand some awkward lighting situations. Long battery life and fast recharging mean that the HP 11.6-inch Chromebook will last you throughout the day without a problem so you can revel in using it without worrying too much about running out of juice. It’s a well-rounded super cheap Chromebook.

Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 Chromebook — $270, was $419

Why Buy:

• Lightweight
• Fast boot-up times
• Very secure
• 2-in-1 versatility

Offering everything you would expect from one of the best Chromebooks in this price range, the Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 keeps things simple while being an effective work machine. At its heart is an Intel processor along with 4GB of memory. As is customary for Chromebooks, storage is limited to 32GB of eMMC, but that’s because you’re meant to use Chrome’s cloud storage instead of physical hard drive space. There’s still a bit of room here for saving files locally, though.

Alongside that hardware, you get a 13-inch fold-flat touch display, which is better when it comes to screen size than many 11-inch Chromebooks that populate this price bracket. There’s also an HD webcam for taking video calls while out of the office or classroom.

While none of these specs sound particularly exceptional, the Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 is designed to be practical above all. It boots up quickly and has a battery that lasts all day so it’s always ready for action. A slim chassis is useful for carrying it around, but that’s not at the expense of features. You still get USB-A and USB-C ports along with Bluetooth functionality and Wi-Fi. Other features include dual stereo speakers and a nice overall design. Throw in the built-in security that comes from using ChromeOS instead of Windows, and this Chromebook is an ideal starter system for kids or for yourself if you prefer to keep things simple.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go — $350, was $400

Why Buy:

• Cheap but efficient
• Nice display for the price
• Comfortable keyboard
• Touchscreen

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is easily one of the best cheap laptops out there, as it’s low on price without compromising quality. It has an Intel Core i5 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. While that might not be anything impressive for power users, it’s exactly what you need for everyday tasks such as writing up documents or creating presentations. Alongside that, you also get 64GB of flash storage so there’s enough room for you to store your most valuable files without having to over-rely on cloud storage.

One of the standout features of the Surface Laptop Go is its display. It has a 12.4-inch Full HD touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio. That means more vertical screen real estate and less eyestrain during those long computing sessions. It also has suitably narrow borders so it takes up less space and is easy to look at. That’s the best thing about the Surface Laptop Go — while simple, it’s intelligently designed.

The laptop also offers a nice keyboard for its size, plus a spacious touchpad that makes it easier to get things done. The display’s flush-fit hinge adds durability and a streamlined look, and the built-in speakers feature Dolby Audio for better stereo sound. It also features an integrated webcam and microphone for video calls and online classes. Thoughtfully designed right down to its environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, the Surface Laptop Go offers a lot of laptop for the price.

HP Pavilion x360 15 2-in-1 — $530, was $780

Why Buy:

• Two-in-one design
• Sturdy build
• Classy look
• Great sound

The HP Pavilion x360 convertible is ideal if you simply can’t decide if you need a laptop or tablet. That’s because it’s a 2-in-1, so you can easily switch between using it as a laptop or as a tablet depending on what you need from it. It has a 15-inch HD display that is multitouch-enabled so you can get hands-on with it. It looks good, too, with 250 nits of brightness plus edge-to-edge glass with suitably slim bezels. An HD resolution of 1,366 x 768 is more than sufficient at this price, but you can upgrade to 1080p at extra cost if you want.

Under the hood, you get an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU along with 8GB of RAM. Combined, that’s sufficient processing power to ensure you can multitask reasonably well, switching between applications in Windows 11 as needed. You also get a 256GB SSD, which is plenty of space to store all your most valuable files and software. It’s possible to use the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 in four different modes so you can get just the right interface for your needs. The laptop also has Dual Speakers with Audio by B&O so it sounds great, too.

Well-designed, the HP Pavilion x360 offers fast-charging so you can get back on the move more quickly. It’s also designed with the environment in mind as it’s built using sustainable, post-consumer recycled, and ocean-bound plastics. Looking super smart while offering a bunch of features for its price, the HP Pavilion x360 is a great all-rounder for anyone keen to be more productive on the move. The convenience of being able to use it as both a tablet or laptop is one you’ll wonder how you lived without.

Asus VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Laptop — $549, was $749

Why Buy:

• Speedy performance for the price
• Nice appearance
• Vibrant OLED display
• Good battery life

The best laptop brands are always a good place to start looking for deals, and there are a number of reasons to appreciate the Asus VivoBook Pro. Somewhat unusual for this price bracket, you get the benefits of a gorgeous OLED display while also enjoying some good hardware. The 14-inch screen features an 1800p resolution along with that OLED technology. In conjunction with that, you get a Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. That’s everything you need to be able to work and multitask reasonably well without suffering slowdown.

In addition, this laptop has a 256GB SSD which is plenty of space for storing your most important apps and files. You get a free upgrade to Windows 11, too, so you’re good to go with the latest operating system. There’s a built-in web camera with noise reduction for taking video calls. Also, you have an integrated digital microphone at your disposal so others can hear you clearly.

Sleek and stylish thanks to its steel gray color, this laptop is an ideal system for work. Battery life is long enough for a day’s work before needing a recharge, which is useful for anyone who is on the move frequently. Other useful features include a nice keyboard and a touchpad with simulated number pad that lets you enjoy more fluid typing for a variety of tasks. It’s an ideal device for taking to work or class that offers a lovely QHD+ display without being too heavy and awkward.

Acer Spin 5 13 2-in-1 — $669, was $999

Why Buy:

• Gorgeous design with stow-away stylus pen
• Powerful performance for its size
• FHD touchscreen
• Lightweight

The Aspire 5 13 2-in-1 is easily one of the best laptops Acer makes, and this version offers a fold-flat touchscreen to make it even more appealing. At its core, it has a Core i5 processor along with 16GB of memory and 512GB of solid-state storage. That’s all you need for being able to work without having to rely on cloud storage or without suffering from poor multitasking performance. Best of all, though, is its 13.3-inch 1080p display. It features slim bezels that make the whole package more slender and lightweight, so you can see the screen without being distracted by a thick frame. And, of course, it’s a fold-back touchscreen so you can get more hands-on with your work rather than having to solely rely on the keyboard or trackpad.

Impressively, the Aspire 2-in-1 crams everything into a slight 11-inch form factor. That means you get all the benefits of a 13-inch screen while enjoying a smaller laptop that’s easy to carry around. The display doesn’t miss out on quality because of this, either, with IPS technology for a color-accurate picture that always looks great, plus wide viewing angles so you’ll never miss a thing.

The useful features keep on coming with the Aspire offering a high-definition webcam so you get sharp image along with noise reduction to improve video and voice quality. That even goes for viewing in dim lighting conditions. This 2-in-1 is also surprisingly durable despite its compact size, and Acer builds things well so it’s sure to last you a good while. It’s a truly delightful laptop to own and use for working hard wherever you are.

Dell G15 Gaming Laptop — $686, was $1,069

Why Buy:

• Cheap gaming on the move
• Includes dedicated graphics card
• Great display
• Reliable performance

While just shy of making our list of the best gaming laptops, the Dell G15 still offers plenty of reasons to love it if you’re keen to game but don’t want to spend a fortune. It offers all the core components you need for gaming, providing you don’t mind tweaking some settings to lower quality levels on more demanding games.

At its heart is an Intel Core i5-11260H CPU paired with 8GB of RAM. Ideal for multitasking if a little basic for gaming at high settings, it’ll still keep you on track to play on the move. In addition, you get 256GB of SSD storage which is enough for installing a handful of your favorite games at a time. The highlight here is the Dell G15’s Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card which, combined with its 15.6-inch full HD display, is capable of ensuring that games look great. You also get a refresh rate of 120Hz so it’s able to keep up with a higher framerate without the risk of motion blur or other annoyances that detract from the quality of the game you’re playing. With 250 nits of brightness, it can cope with being used in brighter environments, too.

One of the main advantages of the Dell G15 is that it uses some of the technology you’d see on Alienware laptops without the high price tag. It has a great thermal system that utilizes copper pipping to dissipate heat, so your hardware stays cool during long gaming sessions. There’s also Game Shift technology: At the touch of a button, you can trigger a dynamic mode to improve performance while keeping your system cool. Overall, this thing is exceptionally well-designed for such an affordable gaming laptop.

Apple MacBook Air — $999

Why Buy:

• MacOS works well
• Lightweight design
• Fast performance
• Ideal for Apple users

The Apple MacBook Air is a delight to use, particularly if you also own other Apple devices. Connecting well with your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and other Apple gadgets, the Apple MacBook Air might seem expensive on the surface but it’s impressively powerful. That’s thanks to Apple’s own M1 chip, which offers phenomenal performance alongside exceptional battery life. The processor has eight cores and is up to 3.5 times faster than the previous-gen Intel CPUs. Despite having so much power, it still has a battery life of up to 18 hours so you can bring it along on a long day and it’ll keep going.

In addition, 8GB of memory means it’s capable of multitasking at speed, and everything is designed to work well with MacOS. It also has a gorgeous looking 13.3-inch Retina display. Text is sharp and clear, while colors are bright and vibrant. A totally fanless design means that you don’t even have to worry about a constant fan noise, as the MacBook Air’s M1 CPU stays cool and silent at all times.

Additional features include a 256GB SSD, which is plenty of room to store your most important files. It also has a FaceTime HD camera for video conferencing and taking FaceTime calls. Touch ID support lets you use your finger to log in rather than constantly having to type passwords. The backlit keyboard also looks great, and particularly useful when working in the evening. Simply put, the MacBook Air is a true delight to use and a great choice for Apple fans. With many productivity apps ready to use right out of the box, it’s ideal for students an professionals alike.

How to choose a laptop

The first step of choosing a laptop, after setting your budget, is determining what you need it for. Most people just need a standard laptop that will perform well and that won’t feel outdated within one or two years, and for that, you’ve got plenty of very affordable options available to you. Those with more specific needs — artists, graphic designers, video editors, and gamers, to name some examples — may want extra features like touchscreens, fold-flat displays, and dedicated graphics cards. Keep size in mind as well. Laptops commonly range from 13 to 17 inches (which refers to screen size measured diagonally), and also pay attention to overall dimensions and weight if you’re going to be moving and carrying yours around fairly often.

As far as hardware goes, the three basic components to consider are CPU, RAM, and storage. The CPU, or central processing unit, is the “brain” of any PC. It’s what actually does the computing: Reading data, running programs (and other processes), and so on. The two biggest CPU makers are Intel and AMD, and unless you’re on the tightest of budgets, we typically recommend sticking with 11th or 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processors, AMD Ryzen 5 processors, and above (Core i7, Ryzen 7, etc.). If the specific generation of Intel CPU isn’t stated explicitly, it will be indicated in the first two digits of the processor’s model number. For example, a Core i5-11400 is an 11th-gen model, while the Core i5-12400 is 12th-gen.

RAM, or random access memory, is a bit more straightforward. In simple terms, if the CPU is your PC’s brain, then RAM could be described as its short-term memory. It supports your CPU’s performance by storing data and tasks for quick recall when needed. The more the better. We suggest a minimum of 8GB for good performance by modern standards, and like Core i5 and Ryzen 5 CPUs, you can find this even on affordable laptops — you really aren’t saving much money by skimping on RAM, but you will definitely feel your computer stumbling when under load.

Storage needs are personal to the user, but today, solid-state drives (SSDs) have largely replaced older platter-based hard disk drives (HDDs) owing to their superior read/write speeds and reliability due to the lack of moving parts. However, SSDs are typically smaller (or at least cheaper per gigabyte) than traditional HDDs, which is something to bear in mind if you do need a lot of storage space for things like games or large project files. We recommend sticking with SSDs as a rule, but some laptops come with a smaller solid-state system drive paired with a larger HDD for overflow, so you’ve got options.

Finally, depending on your needs, a discrete video card may be worth the extra money. A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is essentially a second processor dedicated solely to demanding graphical tasks like rendering videos and playing 3D video games. Mobile laptop GPUs are a bit different than their desktop counterparts and Nvidia GeForce cards are by far the most common. The current-gen models are the 16-series and 30-series cards. AMD has also rolled out its own line of laptop graphics cards, the 5000M series, as mobile counterparts to its desktop GPUs. These are a fine option as well, especially if you prefer AMD hardware.

Should You Shop Laptop Deals Now or Wait Until Prime Day?

Prime Day is on July 12 and 13 this year, so you won’t have to wait long. It may be tempting to see what deals pop up on your dream laptop once Amazon unleashes their torrent of discounts. It’s certainly possible that you might save some extra cash. However, Amazon isn’t necessarily known for laptop discounts. You’ll find much bigger discounts if you go straight to the manufacturer. For instance, Dell regularly cuts up to $500 off the XPS 13 laptop on their website. Lenovo has up to 63% off sales on most of their ThinkPads. You’re more likely to find a good deal on their sites than at Amazon, and their sites likely won’t have special sales for Prime Day.

If you’re looking for a MacBook, however, you should wait. MacBooks were among the most popular selling items during Prime Day laptop deals last year, and likely will be again. Most sizes and models will get a nice discount that you won’t see at Best Buy or Walmart. If you do wait, make sure you check out all retailers and find the best price available. We’ll do our best to help you out.

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